Sean Smith

The tone was set during the final preparation meeting at the Ravens Bay Area hotel. For weeks, the Ravens players and coaches had been asked about the absence of a downhill passing game from their struggling offense. They insisted that all the elements were in place and it would come.

On Saturday night as the game plan was being reviewed, the Ravens were informed that the offense was going to force the issue. Quarterback Joe Flacco was going to throw the ball deep on the very first play from scrimmage Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

“I was hyped when I saw the play call,” Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace said. “You have to win. You can’t have a play call like that and not...

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